Congress MP and Minister of State, Shipping, Milind Deora on Sunday demanded that ‘white paper’ should be published on power tariffs in Maharashtra to scrutinise how subsidy is given.
“I have always said that, before discussing cutting of power tariffs in the state, there has to be a white paper on it. It will help in understanding how subsidy has been given,” Mr. Deora told The Hindu at the commencement ceremony of the Restorative Repairs to Fish Jetty at New Ferry Wharf, here.
Following the decision by the Delhi government to cut power tariff by 50%, the Congress leaders have started raising the similar demand in Maharashtra. The state government has appointed a committee led by Industries Minister Narayan Rane to look in to the matter. The committee has recommended 10 to 20% cut in power tariffs, but the state cabinet is yet to accept the report.
Stressing on the need to scrutinise the subsidy given, he said that the money that will go in one pocket has to come from some other pocket. “Subsidy means that the money will be diverted from one pocket to other. The white paper on power tariff will help to understand this mechanism,” he said. He however did not comment on whether the state government should accept the Rane committee report on cutting power tariffs.
Two other Congress MPs from Mumbai Sanjay Nirupam and Priya Dutt have already demanded cut in power tariffs and even led a protest march at the Reliance Energy’s office, a week ago. When asked whether he will join them in their demand, Mr. Deora said that he supports them in principle.
